Chapter 490: Sikong Ao

"You!"

Hearing this, the short man's expression grew even more sullen as he flew into a rage.

He tapped his toes on the treetop and shot up in fury, raising the Deep Cold Treasure Sword in his hand and suddenly slashing forward.

As he leaped, a colossal power erupted from him. The invisible force bent the trunks of the surrounding ancient, towering trees, making them bow like taut bowstrings.

Evidently, despite the man's unimpressive appearance, his strength was extraordinary, far beyond the Earth Profound Realm.

Seeing this, Qing Luan couldn't help but explain to Shen Daoxing, "That's Du Shixiong, a peerless genius from the Du Family who took control of the entire Celestial Dragon Empire five hundred years ago. He's here for Great Sword Immortal Li Yuan's treasure. He is a master at the Fifth Layer of the Refining Dust Realm and one of the strongest people here."

"Vast Heaven and Earth, Heaven and Earth Sword!"

Du Shixiong leaped high into the air, gripping his sword with both hands and raising it above his head before fiercely cleaving downward.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

A series of explosive sounds rang out as the surrounding towering ancient trees shattered one after another.

The entire sky seemed to dim for a moment.

Du Shixiong's sword chopped straight down toward the tall man's head.

However, the tall man neither dodged nor evaded. He simply extended a single finger and tapped it against Du Shixiong's Treasure Sword with a "DING".

Suddenly, Du Shixiong's previously menacing figure came to an abrupt halt, frozen in mid-air.

Then, with a crisp "CRACK!"...

The Treasure Sword in his hand actually cracked. A fissure appeared, grew wider and wider, and then the sword shattered completely.

"What!"

Du Shixiong stared in shock at the shattered Treasure Sword in his hand.

Before he could even react, the tall man had already thrust out a palm, striking Du Shixiong in the chest.

"PSHHH!"

Several Blood Arrows shot high into the air.

The tall man's palm had pierced straight through Du Shixiong's chest. His hand emerged from Du Shixiong's back, clutching a bright red heart.

Then, the tall man squeezed his hand forcefully. Du Shixiong's heart instantly burst, splattering blood everywhere.

'Damn!'

'A master at the Fifth Layer of the Refining Dust Realm had his heart crushed after just one move.'

Shen Daoxing couldn't help but look at the tall man.

Beside him, Qing Luan's expression was also grave, and she seemed to hold the man in great fear. "Sikong Ao. That's Sikong Ao. He's the true number one expert in the Ancient Ruins of the Abyss, and no one can match him. It's said his cultivation has already reached the late stage of the Refining Dust Realm."

Qing Luan paused, then added meaningfully, "Most importantly, it's said that Sikong Ao and Great Sword Immortal Li Yuan have an unusual relationship. They share the same bloodline, originating from the same source. Only he can open Great Sword Immortal Li Yuan's Immortal Mansion."

"That's right!"

Nearby, Fu Ren suddenly sighed heavily, shaking his head as he chimed in, "You could say that Sikong Ao is the chosen one of these Ancient Ruins of the Abyss. The story goes that Great Sword Immortal Li Yuan's Immortal Mansion has remained hidden because it was waiting for someone—and it was probably waiting for him. The inheritance of Great Sword Immortal Li Yuan is destined to be his. We ordinary people shouldn't even dream of it."

Qing Luan paused again, her face grave as she spoke. "But he is incredibly tyrannical. He attacks and kills at the slightest provocation! He seizes other people's treasures! He does whatever he pleases. We'd better stay out of his way. He's not someone we can afford to provoke."

Just then, a loud, resonant voice rang out:

"Hehehehe, so this is the famous Sikong Ao. Seizing treasures and taking lives as you please, what fine conduct! And you have the audacity to call yourself the successor of Great Sword Immortal Li Yuan?"

Then, a handsome young master dressed in magnificent silken robes leaped up, landing on the top of a towering ancient tree. His white robes fluttered, and he exuded an ethereal, immortal-like aura as he faced Sikong Ao from a distance.

Seeing this suddenly-appeared, handsomely dressed young master, Fu Ren's eyes lit up. "It's Gongsun Jie! He's the only one among us who can contend with Sikong Ao. He's also at the late stage of the Refining Dust Realm. I heard he's even a Prince from the Ancient Dynasty of the Divine Revelation Empire! He is devoted to pursuing the Dao and seeks only to achieve immortality. He never kills the innocent, which makes him far better than that Sikong Ao."

Sikong Ao, however, didn't even glance at Gongsun Jie. He simply flicked his hand, flinging Du Shixiong's body down to the ground with a THUD.

"Hehehehe, winner takes all, loser stands small. This is a world where the strong are revered. His strength was inferior to mine, so he should have obediently handed over what I wanted. Since he was unwilling, death at my hands was his only option. Gongsun Jie, as a Prince of a dynasty, you shouldn't have trouble understanding that principle, right? If you want this treasure in my hand, you're welcome to try and take it. All you have to do is kill me!"

With that, Sikong Ao turned his head and gave Gongsun Jie a meaningful look. "Hehehehe, I just wonder if you have the guts?"

"You!"

Gongsun Jie's expression sank. Without any discernible movement, he suddenly vanished.

The next moment, he had already appeared before Sikong Ao.

He slowly pushed forward a hand as pale as jade. It looked like an ordinary gesture, but with just a glance, Shen Daoxing could feel a vast power surging from it, like a great river.

The corner of Sikong Ao's mouth curled into a disdainful smile as he, too, sent a palm strike forward.

The two ordinary-looking palm strikes collided.

"RUMBLE!"

In an instant, a massive explosion of sound erupted.

Everyone felt the entire mountain forest shake as if the earth were quaking.

A huge shockwave, like a tidal wave that could topple mountains and overturn seas, surged out from the two men at the center.

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

The towering ancient trees nearby exploded instantly.

The two retreated the moment they made contact, shooting back like they were launched from a slingshot.

Sikong Ao flew back only a few dozen feet before landing on a towering ancient tree, stopping his momentum.

Gongsun Jie was forced back several hundred feet. He had to shake his arm repeatedly before he could barely steady himself on an ancient tree, his face slightly pale. It was clear he was somewhat outmatched.

Sikong Ao shook his head and laughed loudly. "Hehehehe, so this is the strongest imperial son the Divine Revelation Empire has produced in a thousand years? He's nothing special!"

As he spoke, he suddenly raised a hand and dangled a braid he was holding.

Gongsun Jie froze. He quickly felt the back of his head and found nothing there. Unbeknownst to him, the braid from the back of his head was gone, snatched by Sikong Ao.

"You!"

Gongsun Jie's face darkened, and he erupted in fury, stomping his foot and launching himself into the air.

"CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!"

With a series of loud cracks, the towering ancient tree beneath his feet snapped.

In the next instant, Gongsun Jie appeared in the sky above Sikong Ao, accompanied by a colossal, glittering golden handprint.

"Immeasurable Heaven and Earth!"

Suddenly, the massive handprint under Gongsun Jie's control expanded, its light flaring brilliantly as an unparalleled power burst forth.